Solar Power Used for Freshwater Production
Solar plants, such as one in the Mojave Desert, are becoming more popular for use in water desalination.
Safe drinking water has become increasingly difficult for countries in North Africa and the Middle East to attain. Some water sources have even become unsustainable in those areas. To help with freshwater production, concentrating solar plants are now being used for desalination.
By using solar power for freshwater production, desalinated seawater in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region is estimated to be 13 times greater by 2040. Desalination has typically been powered by oil or natural gas; and reverse osmosis requires large amounts of electricity.
Using solar power may soon become the best sustainable option for clean drinking water in the MENA region.